metalface wrote:The thing that scares me is that ever since they switched the finals to the current format, the team that has won game 3 after the series starting 1-1 has gone on to win the title 10 times out of 10.

I really, really dont want/need another lakers repeat.

I think it's time to throw out all those stats. They don't mean anything with these two teams going head to head.

I didn't want to but I couldn't help think the Celts would lose last night. They always seem to do shitty when they first go to Boston in a series. Seriously, Boston couldn't have played much worse and it was a very close game.

I predict Boston takes the next two, then the Lakers win game 6. Celtics take game 7.

Whatever happens these two teams are going to beat the crap out of each other before it's over.

bada wrote:But Chum, it was not just they played shitty on their own, Lakers played very good D and were the aggresor and imposed their will physically.

Allen got good looks though and he was just OFF so I will give that to you, but Kobe did a good job on Rondo and Artest is a HUGE reason why Pierce has not been a factor in this series.

I think the Lakers are an awesome basketball team. They did a good job defensively, they did an especially good job at protecting the paint. However...

KG was the only Celtic, with significant shot attempts, that shot well. It wasn't just Ray Allen who played poorly, Rondo didn't play anywhere near his normal standard and it wasn't because Kobe was on him all night. Rondo just played sloppy all around, even when Kobe was nowhere near him. Sheed was crappy, Pierce was crappy (I'll give Artest some credit for that, but again he wasn't always on Pierce. Pierce just had a bad game.)

The Celtics broke down a 17 point deficit over the course of the game AND shot crappy. I don't see that happening again. Look for the Celtics to adjust by speeding up their offensive game. Evertime the Celtics had the ball they waited for both teams to set up before they ran a play. At times I would swear they'd wait for the Lakers to set up even if the Celtics had a 3 on 1 advantage. I think Doc Rivers makes an adjustment there in game 4.

I think we see a different Celtics team and the same Lakers team on Thursday. If not, start picking out my new Avatar

Ehhh... I think the calls have been blown both ways. Neither team has had their share of fair, balanced calls. I've seen some unbelievable scenarios where the refs made a ticky tack, questionable call.

Ehhh... I think the calls have been blown both ways. Neither team has had their share of fair, balanced calls. I've seen some unbelievable scenarios where the refs made a ticky tack, questionable call.

The Celtics have good reason to complain, but so do the Lakers.

The officials have been shaky all series. Players can adjust if there was some consistency. The problem is they aren't. It is almost like they recognize they made a bad call and try to do a make-up call and that is just making it worse.

Ehhh... I think the calls have been blown both ways. Neither team has had their share of fair, balanced calls. I've seen some unbelievable scenarios where the refs made a ticky tack, questionable call.

The Celtics have good reason to complain, but so do the Lakers.

The officials have been shaky all series. Players can adjust if there was some consistency. The problem is they aren't. It is almost like they recognize they made a bad call and try to do a make-up call and that is just making it worse.

True.

This just makes conspiracy theorist cream their pants. Another opinion for them to use in their quest to prove the NBA is rigged. Not saying I agree with them, but I'm not saying I disagree with them either.

bada wrote:Big game tonight for the Celtics. I would be shocked if they dont come out and play their best game of the series tonight. I can easily see a comfortable 10-15pt win tonight

Agreed. It's a must win for the Celtics tonight imo. I'm still worried about Gasol, that guy just seems unstoppable. He kind of reminds me of Kareem. Super tall and long but plays more or less a finesse game. If he had Kareem's skyhook I think he'd be in MVP contention.